Gemstone container, lighting device and imaging system and method

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for evaluating gemstones are disclosed. The system includes a gemstone holding case, an illumination pad and an image capturing and gemstone evaluation device. The case includes a transparent viewing window in a top wall, a translucent bottom wall and a compressible light-diffusing pad for receiving gemstones thereon. The case and pad are dimensioned such that, when closed, the viewing window presses the gemstones into the pad holding them in place and level and allowing for in situ gem imaging. The illumination pad includes embedded LEDs for selectively illuminating the portion of the pad on which the case is placed. The controllable lighting, translucent case and diffusive pad serves to evenly light the gems and reduce unwanted light thereby improving the images and analysis performed using the image capturing and gemstone evaluation device. Methods for analyzing gemstones under diffuse lighting using the system is also disclosed.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to systems for viewing andanalyzing gemstones, and more particularly to a gemstone container,lighting device and imaging system and method of imaging and analyzinggemstones using same.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Jewelry items, such as diamonds and other gemstones, are often kept inboxes with a clear top window to show the “face up” look of thegemstones. When these boxes go out for processing or to customers forviewing, they may have to be left with the third party, even for a shorttime. As such, when the gemstones arrive back to the owner they aretypically checked to verify the received gemstones are the same onesthat were shipped out. Currently verification typically involvesmanually removing each gemstone from the box to manually compare eachgemstone individually to a previously saved record, capturing an imageof each gemstone for comparison with the preexisting record, oranalyzing each gemstone using an automated gemstone analysis system.However, there is no convenient way for performing batch processing(e.g., verification) of gemstones, or gemstone verification withoutremoval from the box.

Imaging gemstones is time consuming and, as the sizes get smaller it isharder to get a clear image of what's inside a gem. For example, it ishard for more ubiquitous devices like a smart phone camera to perfectlyfocus on a gemstone due to its reflective nature and shape of thegemstone. This is for example due surface heights and curves and depthsand due to depth of field or perception. Additionally, bad or improperlighting can spoil the quality of a gemstone image making it difficultto perform verification of the imaged gemstone using the image.

Additionally, multiple gemstones stored in a box might often havedifferent physical parameters including, different types, heights,shapes, sizes, cuts, reflective indexes and the like. This can makefocusing on multiple gems at the same time difficult for conventionalimaging devices such as those found on a smartphone.

Additionally, in the situation where a gemstone is part of a jewelryitem (e.g., set in prongs of a ring or bracelet) there is no way ofeasily bifurcating the gem from the jewelry item in an image. This canbe due to lighting or imaging constraints. This further makes it verydifficult to process multiple gemstones on a jewelry item, or multiplegemstones on multiple jewelry items in batches. Indeed, it is hard to doso even with high tech instruments like laser scanners because the lightreflects off the shiny metal surface or the gems like diamonds andfacets.

Another practical challenge associated with existing gemstone boxes isthat the boxes typically have an opaque plastic bottom (e.g., black orcolored plastic) that can be labeled on the bottom using sticky labels.The labels are hard to remove and leave adhesive residue on the box. Asa result, existing boxes are not easily re-used and are often discarded,creating waste and increased costs.

It is in regard to these and other problems in the art that the presentdisclosure is directed to provide a technical solution for holding,illuminating and imaging of gemstones and an associated evaluationtechnique that overcome these and other problems inherent to currentsystems.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a gem evaluationsystem is provided. The gem evaluation system comprises a case forholding one or more loose gemstones. The case includes a top wall and abottom wall, wherein an internal volume of the case is bounded by thetop wall and opposing bottom wall. The top wall is separable from thebottom so as to transition the case between an open state, in which theinternal volume of the case is accessible, and a closed state, in whichone or more gemstones are enclosed within the internal volume of thecase. The top wall comprises a transparent viewing window through whichthe one or gemstones can be evaluated. Additionally, the bottom wall isone or more of translucent or transparent. The case further includes agemstone pad, provided within the internal volume of the case. The padis for receiving the one or more loose gemstones on a top surface of thegemstone pad. The gemstone pad is formed of a compressible materialconfigured to allow light to pass through the compressible material intothe gemstones.

According to a further aspect, the gem evaluation system furthercomprises an illumination device. The illumination device includes abase having a top surface on which the bottom wall of the case can restduring gemstone evaluation. The illumination device also includes anarray of light emitters disposed within the base. The light emitters areconfigured to emit light from at least the top surface of the base andthereby illuminating the internal volume of the case resting thereon.

According to a further aspect, the gem evaluation system furthercomprises a gemstone imaging and evaluation device. The gemstone imagingand evaluation device includes an image capturing device configured tocapture an image of the one or more gemstones through the viewing windowof the case. The imaging and evaluation device also includes an externalstorage component configured to store data corresponding to the image.Additionally, the imaging and evaluation device includes a processingunit configured to analyze the image of the jewelry item to identify,within the image, at least one of one or more features of the gemstone.

Any combinations of the various embodiments and implementationsdisclosed herein can be used. These and other aspects and features canbe appreciated from the following description of certain embodiments ofthe invention and the accompanying drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a top perspective view diagram of an example gemstoneevaluation system including a gemstone container, illumination device,imaging and gem evaluation device, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 1B is an exploded side view diagram of an example gemstonecontainer and illumination device of the system of FIG. 1A, according toan embodiment;

FIG. 1C is a cut-away side view diagram of an example gemstone containerand illumination system of FIG. lA shown in a closed configuration,according to an embodiment;

FIG. 1D is top-view diagram of an example gemstone illumination deviceof the system of FIG. 1A, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2A is a side view diagram of an example gemstone mat usable in thegemstone container of the system of FIG. 1A, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2B is an exploded side view diagram of an example gemstonecontainer and an illumination device, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a conceptual block diagram of an example imaging and gemstoneevaluation device of the system of FIG. 1A, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a process flow diagram of an exemplary routine for quantifyingthe cut grade and light performance of a gemstone using the system ofFIG. 1A, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a top view of an exemplary configuration of an adjustable maskuseable with the system of FIG. 1A, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a top view of an exemplary configuration of an adjustable maskuseable with the system of FIG. 1A, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a top view of an exemplary configuration of an adjustable maskuseable with the system of FIG. 1A, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a cut-away cross-sectional side view of an exemplaryillumination device, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of an exemplary illumination device,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 10A is a top-view image of a gemstone taken using the system ofFIG. 1A, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 10B is an enlarged top view of the gemstone image of FIG. 10Aprocessed using the system of FIG. 1A, according to an embodiment.

It is noted that the drawings are illustrative and not necessarily toscale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSURE

Example embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a gemstoneevaluation system that includes one or more of a gemstone holder,illumination device, imaging and gemstone evaluation device, as well asmethods for imaging and analyzing a gemstone using same. In some cases,the system can be used for gemstones that can be part of a jewelry item.More often however, the system is used for analyzing one or more loosegemstone. However, it should be understood that embodiments described asbeing used with gemstones can similarly be adapted for use with jewelryitems, more generally, and vice versa.

The gemstone holder is provided for containing one or more gemstonesduring examination, storage and otherwise. In an embodiment, the holdercomprises a plastic case having a clamshell configuration, for example.The holder has at least a translucent bottom wall and a transparentviewing window in the top wall. Within the plastic case is atranslucent, light diffusing, pad that is compressible. In use, aplurality of gemstones can be placed on the top surface of the pad,typically in a “face up” orientation (i.e., with the gemstone faces upand bottom ends pointing down). The case and pad are preferablyconfigured such that, when the top of the case is closed, the viewingwindow presses the gemstones down into the pad. The gemstones are thusheld in place and the respective top faces of the gemstones are level.The translucent bottom of the box and diffusive properties of thegemstone pad serves to evenly light the gems without glare and otherunwanted light artifacts thereby exposing gemstone features such asinclusions in a manner that can more easily be imaged. The gemstoneholder configuration also helps to avoid having to remove the gemstonesfrom the case for examination. Another advantage over current approachesto gemstone imaging is that the gem doesn't need to be “held” by a gemholder such as tweezers or a prong-like mounting device, which obscuresa lot of the gem can cause some inclusions to be missed. In anotherexample the gems may be placed “face down” so as to capture images fromthe culet, which is pointed toward the imaging window, and with thediffused light coming in from the “face” of the gemstone.

Additionally, as further described herein, the system further comprisesa lighting platform that the case can be placed for illumination andimaging. Within the lighting platform is an array of embedded lightemitters, such as LEDs, that can be selectively illuminated. The area ofthe lit portion can be adjusted to match the size of the box, and thelighting spectrum can be adjusted as well. This also improves the waythe gemstones are lit, avoids glare, unwanted reflections and the like.

Additionally, as further described herein, the system further comprisesa gemstone evaluation device that includes an imaging device and aprocessing computer. In some such embodiments, an image of one or moregemstones contained within the exemplary gemstone container is capturedand analyzed so that the position of inclusions or other features can bedetermined and the quality of the gemstone can be evaluated based onobjective features. In some embodiments, the gemstone evaluation devicecan capture images of a jewelry item comprising one or more gemstonesmounted to a metal part (e.g., a ring or bracelet). For example, qualityof the gem or jewelry item can be evaluated based on inclusionscontained in the jewelry item and characteristics of those inclusions.Characteristics of the inclusions can include objectively ascertainablecriteria such as sizes of inclusions, proximity of inclusions to oneanother, proximity of inclusions to portions of a jewelry item that areless visible and/or are able to be obscured by a prong, and/or any othersuitable characteristics. Quality of the jewelry item can also beevaluated based on factors such as color of the jewelry item, color ofinclusions relative to color of the jewelry item, dimensions and/or sizeof the jewelry item, shape or shapes of the jewelry item, facets of thejewelry item (e.g., characteristics of one or more facets that can beidentified using the techniques described herein), and/or any othersuitable factors.

FIG. 1A is a top-side perspective view diagram of an example system 100for holding, illuminating and imaging a jewelry item such as a gemstone,according to an embodiment of the present invention. The system 100includes a gemstone container 102 (also referred to as a case or box orholder). The system 100 also includes a lighting platform 160, forilluminating the gemstones. In some embodiments, the system 100 can alsoinclude an image capturing and gem evaluation device 112 for imaging andevaluating the gemstones.

Gemstone Container

The exemplary gemstone container 102 is of the type referred to as aclamshell, comprised of a bottom portion 110 and a top portion 120. Thebottom portion 110 includes a bottom wall 112 and sidewalls 114. The topportion 120 includes a top wall 122 and sidewalls 124. The walls of thecontainer encompass the internal volume 116 of the container 102.

At least a portion of the top wall is preferably transparent so as toprovide a “viewing window” through which the gemstones 150 within thecase can be viewed and imaged while the case is closed. The top portion120 is hingedly mounted to the bottom portion such that the top portioncan be pivoted open to provide access to the internal volume 116 orpivoted down into a closed position in which the bottom ends of the topsidewalls 124 mate with the top end of the bottom sidewalls 114.

The viewing window of the top wall 122 of the container can be made of,for example and without limitation, a plastic or glass material that hasa suitable transparency that enables the gemstones to be imaged throughthe top wall without undue distortion. The viewing window is preferablya scratch proof/resistant material so as to avoid scratches artificiallyintroducing features into the images that might cause, say, a scratch tobe confused with a gemstone inclusion or diffuse light to show one gemas two or more gems. Further, the material is also preferably easy toclean and be kept dust free.

In addition, some or all of the bottom wall 112 of the container isconfigured to allow light to be transmitted therethrough so as to enablethe internal volume of the box to be illuminated through the bottom wall112. The bottom wall can be configured to have light transmittingproperties defined according to the intended application. In someembodiments, the bottom wall can be translucent, so as to diffuse lightpassing therethrough. In some embodiments, one or more sections of thebottom wall can be transparent, so as to not interfere with the lightpassing therethrough. One or more walls of the bottom portion 110 can bemade from, for example and without limitation, a plastic or glass orother material having suitable light transmitting, reflecting and/orblocking properties.

Preferably, in some embodiments, the bottom wall is made of a materialhaving a substantially uniform color (or uniform lack of color, e.g.,white or clear), such that the bottom wall does not unevenly distort thecolor of the light passing therethrough.

The one or more of the sidewalls of the case can be configured to havelight transmitting properties defined according to the intendedapplication. In some embodiments, one or more of the sidewalls 114 or124, or portions thereof, can be configured to permit illumination ofthe internal volume through the sides. Accordingly, in some embodiments,one or more sidewalls can be translucent. In some embodiments, one ormore sidewalls can be substantially transparent, allowing light totravel through without interference.

One or more side walls of the container can, in some embodiments, beopaque. In some embodiments, one or more side-walls can be reflective innature. In some embodiments, the one or more side-walls can be curved todiffuse or concentrate the light onto or away from the gems. In someembodiments, the internal structure of the sidewalls can comprisereflective substances or inbuilt polarizers so as to create certainvisual results that further help in identifying the gems, gem features,or any other or treatments done to it. Alternatively, in someembodiments, one or more sidewalls can be omitted.

It should be understood that, in some embodiments, one or more walls ofthe container 102 can comprise a combination of materials definingregions having respective physical and optical properties, for example,a top wall having a translucent plastic edge region that surrounds atransparent viewing window made of scratch-resistant plastic.Preferably, in an embodiment, the container can comprise a clear bottom,opaque sides and a clear top. For smaller gems, it can further bepreferable for a white/translucent bottom and a clear top.

It should be understood that the rectangular clamshell container 102 isprovided as a non-limiting example. Containers of other sizes, shapesand configurations could be used to hold gemstones or jewelry itemswithout departing from the scope of the disclosed embodiments. Forexample, gemstones can similarly be held using two opposing glass plateswith a diffusive gemstone holding pad sandwiched there-between.Additionally, in accordance with one or more embodiments, aspects of theexemplary system 100 can be specifically adapted for holding,illuminating and analyzing other items such as a jewelry item (e.g., aring, bracelet and the like).

Gemstone Pad

Placed within the internal volume 116 of the container, against theinterior surface of the bottom wall, is a pad 140 for holding one ormore gemstones. FIG. 1A shows, in a simplified illustration, one or moregemstones 150 (the gemstones 150 and any other gemstone discussed hereinbeing referred to herein at times as a “gem” or “stone”) arranged on orthrough a top surface 142 of the pad 140. FIG. 1B, is an exploded sideview of the container 102, showing the pad 140 separated from the topand bottom portions of the container, showing the container in the openconfiguration and showing the container elevated away from a lightingplatform 160.

The pad 140 is preferably made of a compressible material. The pad isalso preferably made of a material that allows light to be transmittedtherethrough. For instance, the pad can be a translucent materialconfigured to diffuse the light shone into the internal volume throughthe bottom wall 112. For example and without limitation, the pad can bemade of a microfiber cloth, an open cell or closed cell polymer foammaterial having the preferred optical properties.

Because the structural pattern of the material can allow or alter thepassage of light, in some embodiments, the optical properties of the padmaterial can be defined for one or more types of gems. Preferably, forcertain gem types such as diamonds, the pad is made of a material thatallows light to move uniformly. For example, a blue polymer/foam thathad octahedral shaped pattern can leave shadows that internallyreflected off a diamond's walls reducing image clarity. By comparison, amicrofiber cloth, cotton or wool cloth, with uniform compression of thematerial can provide a suitably even light diffusion.

Preferably, in some embodiments, the pad is made of a material that doesnot include imprinted/drawn patterns, or knitted patterns, as suchfeatures can cause wavy cross patterns of light, distorting the gemstoneimage and creating false shadows. For example, such a material caninclude a microfiber cloth, open or closed cell polymer foams ornon-woven materials. Suitable natural materials that provide preferredlight diffusing properties include compressed cotton, wool, and finecloth/silk.

It is further preferable that the pad material is of the type that doesnot shed threads or lint-type particles, which can act like dust andcover the gems and, if not cleaned properly, show as dust or dirt in thegemstone images.

It is further preferable that the pad material is not greasy. In someembodiments, the pad is made of an anti-static material to avoid staticelectricity attracting dust. In some embodiments, the pad material cancomprise a more readily available and disposable material, for instance,paper sheets. Accordingly, if the sheet is punctured or torn by thepointed bottom culets of the gems, for example, it can be thrown awayafter one or a few uses.

Preferably, in some embodiments, the pad is made of a material having auniform coloring (or lack of color), such that the pad does not unevenlydistort the color of the light passing through the gems. In someembodiments, say for use with diamonds, the pad is preferably white.However, in some embodiments, say for use with other gems like rubies oremeralds, the pad can be colored to provide a yellowish tint to thelighting.

The thickness of the pad can depend on the size shape and depth of thegems themselves. Preferably, the pad is thick enough to protect thepointed culet at the bottom of the gem (if having a pointed bottom), andto give enough cushion to keep gems secure and from moving and impactingthe top wall and with one another. Accordingly, the pad is designed toprovide enough pressure between the top and bottom walls to keep thegems stable and safely in place. Additionally, it is preferable for thepad to be sized to cover the entire footprint of the internal volume andthereby touching the side walls to avoid gems falling into crevices atthe sidewalls.

The pad is also designed to have a compressibility (e.g., elasticity,density, hardness) that is suitable for resisting a gem being totallyembedded into the pad, which would cause the sides of the gem to beenveloped and not visible. The pad is also compressible and has asuitable softness so as to not break a pointed culet or scratch thesurface of a gem.

The material properties and size of the pad can also be defined as afunction of the size of the gemstones. If very small gemstones are beingcontained, the need for tightness against the viewing window may requirean increased pad density (e.g., to resist compression) and/or padthickness. Small gemstones can also require finer materials having lesssurface grain, smaller voids or hair-like features that could obscureportions of a small gem.

As shown in FIG. 1B and FIG. 1C, which is a cut-away side view of theclosed container 102 with the pad 140 and gemstones 150 disposedtherein, the thickness t of the pad 140 is similar to the depth d of theinternal volume 116 and has suitable compression characteristics toallow for small and large gemstones alike to be placed in the same boxand, when the top portion 120 is closed, the top faces of the gemstonesare maintained at the same level and in proper “face up” orientation. Asnoted, the container 102 and pad 140 are preferably dimensioned suchthat, when the top 120 is closed against the bottom 110, the undersideof the top wall 122 presses the gemstones 150 down into the pad 140. Thegemstones are thus held in place and the respective top surface of thegemstones are level. Maintaining the top of the gems in the same levelplane allows for more easy comparison. FIG. 1B illustrates the possiblynon-level position of the gemstones when the container is not closed.

The diffusive pad 140 protects the bottom (or “culet”) from breaking andallows diffused light to pass up into the gem thereby enhancing thefacet structure and inclusions clearly. While FIGS. 1A-B show thegemstone pad comprising a single layer material, it should be understoodthat the gemstone pad can comprise multiple layers of material. FIG. 2Ais a side view of an exemplary configuration of a gemstone pad 240having two layers of material. For example, a top-most layer of materialcan be comprised of a more elastic/compressible material having voids(or air pockets) and a thickness that is suitable for receiving at leastthe bottom portion of gemstones of varying sizes, expanding toaccommodate the gemstone's size, and allowing the gemstone to be pressedinto the pad such it is maintained face up while the box is opened andclosed. The bottom layer of material can have a relatively lowercompressibility/elasticity and a thickness sufficient to cushion theculet and to provide some resistance such that the top face of thegemstones abut the bottom surface of the top wall when the container isclosed. The thickness and material properties of the one or more layerscomprising the pad can be defined depending on the particularrequirements of the application.

For example, the pad can comprise a microfiber pad, a cotton pad withribbed/square thread patterns, a sponge, or a sponge-like syntheticfoam. Varying types of materials, having varying properties such ascolor, light transmission, diffusion, opacity, thickness,compressibility/elasticity, density, porosity, can be used individuallyor in combination to achieve a pad having the necessary compression andlight transmitting properties.

In some embodiments, the pad can further be provided with slits/slotsextending from the top surface at least partially into the pad to moresecurely hold the gem from any side or angle. This can also make viewingthe girdle and edges of a gem better from the sides, for better oreasier imaging.

The light transmissive bottom of the container 102 and diffusiveproperties of the gemstone pad 140/240 serves to evenly light the gemswithout glare and other unwanted light artifacts to expose inclusionsand other gemstone features such that they can be imaged better,detected and analyzed. For instance, the gemstone features that areenhanced can include internal or external features, or dust and liquidresidues of any sort, internal or external graining features that can befound by light distortion or blockage and the like. The diffusion willtake away the unfocused nature of the gem and turn it into a flatsurface that is more easily captured in an image. The facets are alsomore clearly demarcated/visible and easier to image.

Whereas current gem holding and imaging techniques tend to cover up totwo percent of the gem, effectively hiding inclusions, embodiments ofthe gemstone holder can allow full view. The exemplary configuration ofthe container 102 also helps to avoid having to remove the gemstones 150during imaging and examination. The container 102 thus is configured tosecurely hold the gems during imaging and allows images to be taken fromat least one side (e.g., top 122). It can further allow for light to bedirected into the container from the side of the container opposite theimaging window (e.g., bottom 122), as well as from other directions. Theviewing pane (e.g., top wall 122) is preferably scratch resistant andclean and transparent and non-distorting of the image/lighting. Theimaging preferably takes place with the top closed because, if no toppane is there, the image can be lower quality since the gems will notnecessarily be maintained in a uniform orientation and level and notproperly receiving diffused lighting from below.

In an embodiment, the container can be omitted and a gemstone can bemanually held on or over the light diffusing pad 140 for imaging andanalysis. For example, the gemstone can be held using tweezers, with thetweezer acting like the walls and picked up over the pad and the gemimaged over the diffused light.

Gemstone Illumination Device

The system 100 also includes a gemstone illumination device 160, alsoreferred to herein as an illumination platform or lighting mat. In anembodiment, the lighting mat can comprise a base substrate that is madeof a rigid, semi-rigid, flexible or foldable material. FIG. 1A-1Cillustrate a lighting mat having a generally flat top surface 165 fromwhich light can be directed into the bottom of the gemstone container102 resting thereon.

Returning to FIG. 1D, FIG. 1D illustrates a top view of the lighting mat160 with all other elements of the system 100 omitted. The lighting mat160 can comprise light emitters 164 such as LEDs or other types of lightemitting devices arranged on or within the base. The LEDs can be exposedon or otherwise configured to shine through the top surface 165 of thebase. For example, in an embodiment the LEDs are exposed throughopenings in the base. By way of further example, the LEDs can beembedded below the top surface 165 and shining through the top surface165.

As shown, the LED's can be arranged in a two-dimensional, rectangulararray, however other arrangements of LEDs can be provided. For example,LEDs can be arranged along concentric circles of increasing radius froma center point to illuminate a circular gemstone container. The spacingbetween LEDs can vary, however, a consistent spacing is preferable toensure uniform lighting.

The LEDs can be configured to be selectively illuminated to, forexample, illuminate an area of the lighting mat that corresponds to thelocation, size and shape of the bottom surface of the gemstone holder(not shown). In some embodiments, the LEDs can be configured to bemoveable.

In some embodiments, the LEDs can be configured to emit light havingone, or more, of a variety of possible colors/wavelengths. In someembodiments, the light emitters have an adjustable intensity. Variousproperties of the light emitted by one or more LEDs (e.g., color,intensity among others), individually or collectively, can beselectively controlled by a controller via embedded electronic circuitryused to power and connect the controller to the LEDs.

In some embodiments, the lighting mat can include its own processor 167,for selectively controlling the light properties of the mat and its LEDs164. The mat can also include an input/output (I/O) circuit 168. I/Ocircuit 168 can include a user input device, such as knobs or buttons,with which a user can interact to provide control inputs to theprocessor 167. Control inputs can define various parameters of thelighting mat that are controlled by the processor 167, including, forexample, a location on the mat to illuminate, a size or shape of thearea of the mat to illuminate, which LEDs to turn on/of or adjust, oneor more light parameters (e.g., intensity, wavelength) for one or moreof the LEDs.

I/O circuit 168 can also include a wireless (e.g., WIFI or Bluetooth) orwired communication connection providing communication between theprocessor 167 and remote devices such as the gem evaluation device 112,thereby enabling the processor to receive control inputs from theconnected device and output information relating to the platform'soperation thereto. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the gem evaluationdevice 112 can be configured to actively control the lighting mat 160 inaccordance with information captured by an imaging device. For instance,based on a location of the gemstone being imaged determined by the gemevaluation device 112, the light properties of one or more LEDs aroundthat particular location can be adjusted to facilitate imaging andanalysis. In some embodiments, the lighting mat 160 can be controlled byother computing devices in communication therewith, for example, amobile phone configured to be used by a user to input controlinstructions defining, say, a particular intensity among a range ofpossible intensities, or a particular wavelength among a range ofpossible wavelengths. These controls can also be automated in someembodiments. For instance, the gem evaluation device 112 can beconfigured to detect glare and, if glare is detected for a particularlocation within or around a gemstone image, be further configured tooutput a control signal adjusting lighting parameters of the mat, say,changing the area of the mat that is illuminated, reducing the intensityof one or more of the LEDs in relation to the location, and the like.

In some embodiments, the mat 160 can be configured to be foldable. Forexample, the base substrate of the mat and the circuitry connecting theLEDs embedded therein can be made of flexible materials capable of beingfolded or bent, such as plastics and other such polymers. By way offurther example, one or more flexible fold lines 169 can be formed inthe mat so as to allow the mat to be folded along the fold line. Asshown in FIG. 2B, which is a side-view of an alternative configurationof a lighting mat 260 with the container 102 thereon, the lighting matcan be configured to be folded along the fold line 269 so as to provideillumination through the side(s) of a container in some embodiments. Thearrangement of the LEDs, and the possible movement of the LEDs relativeto the gem container in some embodiments (e.g., through folding of thebase along one or more flexible fold lines), can serve illuminate thegems in one or more of a multidirectional, unidirectional andcross-directional way, so the light waves can be directed in anydirection needed.

In an embodiment, features and functions of the lighting platform can beintegrated with the gemstone holder. For example, the illumination matcan be placed directly in the box.

Image Capturing and Gemstone Evaluation Device

FIG. 3 is a block system diagram showing a more detailed view of theexemplary image capturing and gem evaluation device 112 of the system100 and a communications network 314 and external storage 316 and agemstone evaluation platform 318 in communication with the device 112according to an embodiment. The image capturing and gem evaluationdevice 112 includes an image capturing component 330, a memory 322, aprocessing unit 324 such as a microcontroller or microprocessor, and aninput/output (I/O) circuit 326.

The image capturing and gem evaluation device 112 can be any suitabledevice including the image capturing component 120 and configured tocapture and process one or more images of the gemstones as describedherein. In some embodiments, the image capturing and gem evaluationdevice 112 is a mobile phone, and the image capturing component 120 is amobile phone camera. In other embodiments, the image capturing component120 can include a macro lens to improve image quality, laser scanningtechnology, or other suitable systems for imaging a gemstone and/orjewelry item.

The memory 322 can be or can include a program memory and/or a randomaccess memory (RAM), and stores image data received from the imagecapturing component 120 for processing by the processing unit 324.

The processing unit 324 processes the image data as described herein toevaluate the gemstones and/or to facilitate further processing via theI/O circuit 326 (e.g., a transceiver, network communications device andthe like), the network 314, the external storage 316, and/or theexternal gemstone evaluation platform 318.

The network 314 can be a network such as the Internet, a cellularnetwork, and/or any other type of suitable network (e.g., a local areanetwork (LAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a wide area network(WAN), a mobile network, a wired or wireless network, etc.). Theexternal gemstone evaluation platform 318 can be any suitable platformoperated or otherwise controlled by an entity such as a gemstone dealer,a user that grades gemstones, or a gemstone evaluating entity such as alaboratory that evaluates gemstones to determine gradings and pricingsused in sales of gemstones. The external storage 316 can be any suitabledatabase or other storage component(s) operated or otherwise accessibleby such an entity.

The foregoing exemplary embodiments of system 100 are shown anddescribed for evaluating one or more gemstones placed in the container102. For example, the captured image(s) of a given gemstone among thegemstones 150 can be used to identify and analyze inclusions among otherphysical characteristics of the gemstone. However, it should beunderstood that, additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments,multiple gemstones 150 situated inside the jewelry container 102 can beanalyzed at the same time in accordance with the techniques describedherein. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the exemplary systems andmethods can be adapted to contain, image and analyze a jewelry itemcomprising one or more gemstones mounted in a setting of the jewelryitem.

The algorithms for analyzing images of a gemstone and/or jewelry itemconfigure the processor to extract one or more of a variety of physicalcharacteristics from the images including, without limitation, one ormore of the features listed below:

Inclusions in the gemstones

Scratches on the gemstones

Dust or particles on the gemstones

Table facet structure of gemstones

Girdle structure of gemstones

Gemstone girdle features

Angle and height of gemstones

Pavilion depth and angle

Crown height and angle

Weight and color of the gemstones

Cut grade and light return of the gemstones

Coverage of the gemstone surface area, i.e., is it too short (near edge)or too high (towards table) or correct distance

Identification markings or inscriptions on the metal part and gemstones

Metal part dimensions, volume, angle, color and weight

Metal quality/caratage

Nicks, scratches, dents, cracks on the metal part or gemstones

Distance between the prongs

How the prongs are placed in respect to one another and in respect tothe gemstones

Height and thickness of the prongs

Facet structure and angles of the prongs

Angle of curvature of the prong and its angle (facing others) comparedto other prongs

How high the gemstone is set in comparison to the prongs and to theother gemstones relatively

Placement of the gemstones in relation to the prongs

The information mentioned above is exemplary and should not limit thescope of the invention. It should be clearly understood that theprocessing unit 324 can be configured to extract any other informationfrom the gemstone images required for analysis of the gem and/or jewelryitem.

Exemplary systems and methods for capturing and analyzing images forsingle or bulk processing of gemstone or jewelry items using machinevision and other techniques are shown and described in co-pending andcommonly assigned U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No.17/104,615, titled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING MULTIPLE LOOSEGEMSTONES USING IMAGE-BASED ANALYSIS TECHNIQUES” filed on Nov. 25, 2020,and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/678,043, titled “JEWELRY ITEMGRADING SYSTEM AND METHOD,” filed on Nov. 8, 2019, each of which ishereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

In one or more embodiments, the systems and methods disclosed herein canbe used to quantify a cut grade and/or light return performance of agemstone from an image captured using the system 100.

In general, the better the cut of a gemstone, the better its lightperformance. Currently however, cut grade and light performance areconsidered different features and given different values. Both measureshave not been able to be quantified together. However, from an image ofa gemstone taken using the system 100, particularly, embodiments of thegemstone holder 102, gemstone pad 140 and gemstone lighting platform160, the gemstone analytical system 112 can objectively measure theclarity (or graininess/fuzziness) of the image of a gemstone andquantify the light return/light performance of the gemstone in realterms.

The better the cut of the gemstone imaged using the system 100, theclearer and brighter the image will be. If a gemstone is poorly cut, itwill “leak” light, which can be captured by the imaging device 120 inthe gemstone image as pixilation, wherein the level of pixilation isquantifiable. Put another way, a more poorly cut gemstone will result ina more pixelated, or less clear, or less sharp, or more static/fuzzylooking image. For instance, light leakage can show up in the diffusedlight image of a gem like small dots in and around the gem.

FIG. 4 is a process flow diagram of an exemplary routine 400 forquantifying the cut grade and light performance of a gemstone from animage captured using system 100 according to an embodiment. It should beunderstood that portions of this and other methods disclosed herein canbe performed on or using a suitable custom or preprogrammed logicdevice, circuit, or processor, such as a programmable logic circuit(PLC), computer, software, or other circuit (e.g., ASIC, FPGA)configured by code or logic to carry out their assigned task. Thedevice, circuit, or processor can be, for example, a dedicated or sharedhardware device (such as a laptop, a workstation, a tablet, asmartphone, part of a server, or a dedicated hardware circuit, as in anFPGA or ASIC, or the like), or computer server, or a portion of a serveror computer system. The device, circuit, or processor can include anon-transitory computer readable medium (CRM, such as read-only memory(ROM), flash drive, or disk drive) storing instructions that, whenexecuted on one or more processors, cause portions of the method 400 (orother disclosed methods) to be carried out. It should be noted that inother embodiments, the order of the operations can be varied, and thatsome of the operations can be omitted. The electronics can also includea user interface equipped with a touch screen (e.g., a touch screen ofthe image capturing and gem evaluation device, such as a touch screen ofa mobile phone) to permit computer interaction.

At step 405, an image of one or more of the gemstones within thecontainer 102 are captured using the image capturing component 120 ofthe gem evaluation device 112. As should be understood, step 405 can bepreceded by steps for placing the gemstones within the container 102(step 401), closing the top wall such that the gems are properly alignedand oriented within the container under the viewing window (step 402),and selectively illuminating one or more LEDs 164 of the lightingplatform 160 to illuminate the gemstones from below or above as requiredby the particular analytical method being performed.

At step 410, the processing unit 324 of the gem evaluation device 112,which is configured by code executing in the processor, applies agemstone finding algorithm on a captured image to find a gemstone withinthe image. Additionally, at step 415, the processing unit 324 can applya gemstone analysis algorithm, such as an edge detection algorithm, toidentify the gem's facet and inclusion structures.

Additionally, at step 415, the processing unit 324 defines one or more“halo” regions in and or around the gemstone. A halo specifies a regionof interest within the image that corresponds to a facet location.Accordingly, a halo can have a fixed or varying size. In particular, atstep 415, the processing unit can first identify, in the image, specularreflections caused by light reflecting off of respective facets of thegemstone. In an embodiment, specular reflections of interest can bedetected based on pixel intensity, change in intensity and uniformityover an area. Additionally, the processing unit can be configured todefine a respective halo region around the identified specularreflections. For example, the halo can be a region of the gemstone imagethat is centered on a region of the reflection with uniform andrelatively higher pixel intensity but sized to encompass the surroundingarea where intensity drops off.

In an embodiment, the processor of the gemstone evaluation device 112can cause the image capturing component to adjust the camera focus toenlarge or otherwise enhance the specular reflections that are revealedin the images. In a manual setting, the user can be guided to move thecamera toward and away from the gemstone. The adjustment of camera focuscan also serve to highlight different sets of facets. Additionally, theimages are preferably taken while the viewing window of the gemstoneholder is closed such that the reflections appear on the viewing windowand thus are more easily captured in the images. It can also bepreferable that the primary source of illumination is directed at thegemstone from above the gemstone when grading cut grade using theexemplary halo technique. Additionally, it can be preferable that thegemstone is illuminated with white light.

FIG. 10A is an exemplary image of a round diamond captured using thesystem 100 with the camera focus adjusted to emphasize the appearance ofspecular reflections on the viewing window of the gemstone container. Bycomparison, an in-focus image will minimize reflections and reveal moreof the detail of the gemstone structure, which can be preferable forother types of gemstone analysis. FIG. 10B is an enlarged version of theimage of FIG. 10A and showing the specular reflections encompassed byrespective halos superimposed over the image.

In this example, the halo regions can comprise a series of ovals, forinstance, halos 1005, 1010, and 1020. The shapes of the halos howevercan vary depending on the shape of the gem and number of facets andfaceting structure. As shown, these oval halos are defined in a way suchthat they can overlap each other, like a Venn diagram, forming a patternof overlapping ovals with overlapping regions. For example, halos 1005and 1010 define overlapping region 1015 and halos 1010 and 1020 defineoverlapping region 1025. Each oval can be located in relation to thelocation of a specular reflection, which in turn corresponds to thelocation of a facet, and is sized and shaped according to thereflection. As shown in FIG. 10B, the halo pattern includes eight ovalsthat correspond to eight similar facets of a gemstone.

At step 420, the processing unit analyzes the halo regions and theoverlapping regions. Because uneven faceting or angles of facets willdistort some of the reflections and corresponding halo regions more thanothers, the clarity of the overlap regions can thus be measured by theprocessor and used to determine the quality of the gemstone symmetry andcut. The clearer and more defined the reflections are the better thelight return and cut grade. More specifically, in an embodiment, theprocessor can be configured to measure the brightness/intensity orchange in intensity of the pixels in the overlapping regions as ameasure of clarity.

Analysis of the halo, the overlapping regions or other regions of thegemstone can in some embodiments include calculating one or more of aclarity/graininess and a brightness/intensity. Clarity/graininess orbrightness can be quantified on a pixel per area (e.g., inch) basis, forthe area of a given halo, a given overlap region, one or more portionsof the gemstone, or any combination or variation of the foregoing. Theclarity/graininess in the reflections can be measured as pixels per sq.inch, for example, and can be used to quantify the light return of agem.

Additionally, in some embodiments, the size and shape of overlappingregions can be compared to determine uniformity, as the more uniform theoverlap regions the more uniform and better the cut. Similarly, thepattern that is formed by the halos and the overlapping regions can alsobe evaluated by the processor as a measure representing gemstonesymmetry and cut. In some embodiments, the color of one or more of theregions in the image can be measured to determine a color of thegemstone, for instance, an average hue of pixels in a halo.

At step 425, the one or more measures for clarity, brightness and othercharacteristics measured at step 420 can be combined or translated intoa value for the quality of the cut. Clarity and brightness can beabsolute values or relative measures. For instance, clarity andbrightness can be evaluated for multiple gems that are categorized byquality and used define a scale according to which an objective valuecan be given.

Although FIGS. 10A-10B show a single gemstone, the system 100 cancapture images each depicting multiple gemstones in the gemstonecontainer and can effectively process individual gemstones from imagescropped therefrom. Thus, the disclosed embodiments can facilitate bothindividual and bulk processing of gemstones. In an embodiment, theprocessor can be configured to capture a sequence of images (e.g., avideo feed) of the illuminated gemstones in the gemstone container whilethe imaging device is moved over the gemstones. As a result, the imagesare captured of the gemstones from multiple angles. Additionally, theprocessor can be configured to detect the specular reflections generatedby respective gemstones in respective images and analyze the changes inthe respective reflections throughout the sequence. For instance, theprocessor can be configured to analyze the change in intensity of theone or more reflections associated with a given gemstone (referred to as“light-points”). Additionally, the particular pattern of reflectionsthat comprise a gemstone's light-point can be determined for respectivegem images and the changes in the pattern through the sequence of imagescan be determined. Similarly, the reflected light intensity distributionover the area of the light-point can be measured from individual imagesand changes in the intensity distribution through a sequence of imagescan be evaluated. Based on the measured changes in shape and/orintensity distribution of the light-points, the processor can be furtherconfigured to measure the scintillation property of respectivegemstones. Furthermore, in an embodiment, the processor can beconfigured to track the movement of the light-points throughout thesequence of images. Additionally, the processor can be configured tocount the gemstones based on the light points or the tracking of a lightpoint throughout the images. Moreover, the processor can determine fromthe tracked reflections.

The images captured using the system 100 provide additional benefitsbeyond facilitating the objective measuring of light transmission andrelated characteristic of cut quality. Indeed, under the diffuselighting conditions achieved using the system 100, other gemstonefeatures including, for example and without limitation, polish marks andfaceting structure patterns, are more clearly visible and more clearlycaptured in the image. The discoloration or unevenness in colordistribution in gemstones is also more clearly visible. Accordingly, theprocessing unit 324 can be configured to segment each of these featuresof the gemstone and quantify the attributes. Additionally, grades can begiven for each of these attributes in a pixel strength or some othermanner. In some embodiments, opacity or translucency of light through aninclusion and the surrounding light visible around the edge createdaround the inclusion can be recorded as well, thus defining theinclusion more clearly. This can be converted into a pixel strengthbased on the color and closeness of similar colored pixels of theinclusion.

The location specific and diffused light conditions generated using thesystem 100, including, embodiments of the gemstone holder 102, gemstonepad 140 and gemstone lighting platform 160, also serves to reduce glare.Since the glare is reduced, the imaging device 320 can focus better onportions of the gemstone. In some embodiments, the processing unit 324can be further configured to utilize this improvement to perform afocus-based measurement of the coordinates (e.g., x,y,z coordinatelocation) of the inclusions and facet structures inside or on agemstone, from any angle that the image was taken. For example, say, aninclusion on the top of the gemstone can be focused in/out on using thecamera, and a lower level inclusion or facet structure can be similarlyfocused in/out on and the focal lengths for the two references used todetermine the “Z” coordinate of the entire gem/inclusions/facetingstructures/girdles etc.

Additionally, in some embodiments, the system 100 can be configured toimage the gemstones while the imaging component 120 and gem container120 are moved towards or away from each another, can also assist withrevealing light reflections and other optical properties of thegemstone. Movement of the imaging component 120 can be performedautomatically using, for example, a linear actuator that the imagecapturing component 120 can be mounted to and that is controlled by theprocessing unit 324.

Additionally, in some embodiments, the system 100 can be used toilluminate gemstones contained in a plastic bag, which are commonly usedin the gem industry to hold loose gems. Specifically, a plastic bag withmultiple loose gems can be placed flat on the diffused lighting pad 140sitting on the illumination mat 160. The diffuse lighting created by themat and pad causes the gems within the bag to become more well defined.As a result, a detailed stone “count” can be more effectively performedeither in an automated fashion by the image capturing and gem evaluationdevice 112, or manually. This is not possible with traditional lightingsystems. Indeed, even if the gems are bunched up quite closely oroverlap within the plastic bag, the facets and girdles of respectivegemstones show up well and can be more easily defined under the diffusedlighting condition provided by the illumination mat and pad. Theimprovement in lighting can eliminate the need for removing the gemsfrom the plastic bags.

In some embodiments, the system 100 further comprises a mask. The maskcan comprise a planar material substrate having an aperture therethroughwhich is sized and shaped to correspond to the size and shape of agemstone. Preferably, the mask is an adjustable mask wherein theaperture can be expanded and contracted to a desired size and shape. Themask is configured to be placed over a gem (e.g., on top of the viewingwindow) to minimize/reduce the glare on the imaging device caused bylight passing through the container. In some embodiments, the adjustablemask comprises a planar substrate with a central opening. The maskfurther includes a series of overlapping “plates” that define the sizeand shape of a central aperture. The plates can slide relative to oneanother and the center of the aperture (e.g., expand or contract) in oneor more directions, thereby allowing the mask to conveniently beadjusted to the size and shape of the gemstone. FIG. 5 is a top view ofan exemplary configuration of an adjustable mask comprising a planarsubstrate 505. Two plates 510 and 515, are slideably attached to thesubstrate 505 and moveable along respective tracks in the directionsshown by the arrow, thereby allowing for the plates to move towards oraway from one another and define an oval aperture 520 sized and shapedfor use with an oval gemstone 550, for example. It should be understoodthat the mask 500 can be suitable for an oval gemstone 550 round, ovalor marquise shaped gemstones, for example. Although only two plates areshown, each respectively defining half of the oval aperture, it shouldbe understood that additional plates can be provided (e.g., an opposingtop and bottom plates in addition to the left and right plates shown.Additionally, the plates can be slideably attached to the substrate in amanner that provides additional directions of movement andadjustability.

By way of further example, FIG. 6 is a top view of an exemplaryconfiguration of an adjustable mask 600 comprising a planar substrate605 and, mounted thereto on respective tracks, left and right plates,610 and 615, and top and bottom plates, 612 and 617. As shown the platesdefine an aperture 620 suitable for imaging a gemstone having arectangular shape, e.g., rectangular gemstone 650.

In some embodiments, the plates of an adjustable mask can be movedindependently. IN some embodiments, two or more plates can bemechanically linked to one another so as to move in unison. Themechanical coupling of the two or more plates can be further coupled toa control knob that, when turned, adjusts the position of the plates.While an adjustable mask having movable plates can be suitable for usewith one or more gem shape. However, in some embodiments, a plurality ofadjustable masks can be provided having respective plate arrangements toprovide a respective aperture more closely matching one or more gemstoneshapes. For instance, a first mask e.g., mask 500, can be provided foruse with gemstones having rounded shapes (e.g., round, oval, marquise),and a second mask, e.g., mask 600, can be provided for use withgemstones having square shapes (e.g., square, rectangle, princess,emerald, baguettes), and so on.

In an embodiment, the viewing window of the gemstone holder can beconfigured to include certain etching or markings in/on it. Forinstance, markings can define a coordinate system according to which thegemstone evaluation device 112 is configured to assign locationcoordinates to respective gems among the gemstones. By way of furtherexample, the markings can define a distance scale that is useable by thegemstone evaluation device 112 to measure the size of the gems.

In another embodiment, the top portion of the container 102 can have alift-off configuration that can be press fit onto the bottom portion andotherwise unattached, so as to allow the top portion to be completelyseparated from the bottom portion. In addition or alternatively, othermechanical fastening means can be used to removably attach the topportion to the bottom portion including, for example and withoutlimitation, screws, snaps, locking tabs, and the like.

In some embodiments, the container can further comprise a slide, e.g., aglass substrate or other transparent material configured to be placedover the open bottom portion of the container so as to maintain the gemsin position during imaging of the gemstones. For example, if the topwall of the container is open or removed, or if the top wall is amaterial that is prone to scratching during normal use, a transparent,scratch resistant slide can be included for placement on top of the gemsto facilitate imaging.

In some embodiments, the viewing window can further comprise amagnifying glass/lens. The lens can be in some embodiments integral tothe viewing window. Alternatively, the lens can be configured to bemoveable over the viewing window.

In some embodiments, the gemstone container 102 can further comprise alabel configured to be placed against a bottom wall or side wall of thecontainer. For instance, a printed label can be affixed to a thincardboard or plastic substrate and inserted into the container withwritten side facing a transparent wall of the container (e.g., the topviewing window). This way there is no need to remove sticky labels fromthe box itself. In use, this cardboard and label may simply be removedto allow the light to pass through at time of verification and thenreplaced after the process is done.

In an embodiment, the gemstone illumination mat 160 can be sized andshaped to fit within the internal volume of the gemstone container 102.In particular, the gemstone illumination mat can be provided between thebottom wall of the container 102 and the gemstone pad 140. In anotherembodiment, one or more components of the gemstone illumination mat(e.g., the LED array) can be integrated within the bottom wall of agemstone container.

In some embodiments, an outer casing can also be provided to contain oneor more components of the system 100, for example, to allow the imagingdevice to be mounted on securely for steady imaging and or formoving/hovering over the container and gems. FIG. 7 is a perspectiveview of the system 100 provided within an outer casing 707 according toan embodiment. For simplicity, FIG. 7 shows the sides of the casing 707as being transparent.

The exterior casing can be a box like structure or circular or anysuitable shape for containing components of the system 100 and allowingfor imaging a gemstone container, jewelry item. The casing can supportthe imaging device(s) either parallel to the gemstone container 102 orjewelry item or at an angular mode to allow sides of such items orcurved items to be imaged.

In some embodiments, the casing 707 can have an opening on one or moresides to allow easy access to the system included therein. In someembodiments, the casing can be covered on one or more sides, forexample, with a diffuser material (e.g., a white cloth) or a darkmaterial (e.g., black cloth) to stop external lighting from enteringinto the internal volume of the casing.

It should be understood that the casing and system integrated thereincan be configured to include other device holders or photographyimproving devices as needed.

In some embodiments, the casing 707 or lighting mat 110 can furthercomprise a heating element 730, such as heating coils, fans or otherthermal energy or light (e.g., infra-red emitters) radiators. Suchdevices can be configured to heat a jewelry item, such as its metalparts like gold and silver and gemstones. Additionally, cooling devices(not shown), such as a cooling fan or liquid spray can be providedwithin the casing 707 to cool the jewelry items. In an embodiment, thegem evaluation device 112, particularly the imaging device 120 (notshown) can also comprise a thermal imaging device configured to capturethermal imagery of the jewelry item. Additionally, the thermal imagingdata can be processed by the gem evaluation device 112, particularly theprocessor, to measure the difference in heat absorption (and cooling) toidentify the metal, metal types, gemstone, gemstone types and the like,each of which have a unique thermal signature. This signature may becaptured using a suitable thermal scanner or imaging device. Theresulting thermal image(s) can be used to process and find locations ofthe gem, metal parts/structures, prongs etc. of the jewelry item andsegment each item. The processor can be further configured to use thisinformation in conjunction with a “normal” image, using the heatseparation to assist in segmenting the metal from the gem in the images.In some embodiments, the processor can be configured to generate a 3Dimage of the jewelry item and generate a diagram of the whole item.Pixel to pixel of thermal image to normal image.

In some embodiments, a spray or chemical coating with a heatingsensitive chemical or color changing chemical, can be applied to thejewelry item to better show its thermal signatures.

In some embodiments, the heating element can be in direct contact to themetal or other part of one or more jewelry item. As such, the speed ofheating various parts or transmittance of the heat through the item canbe sensed, measured and/or image by the gem evaluation device 112 andcan also be used to determine what elements/metals are used in thejewelry item.

In some embodiments, the light emitters/LEDs 154 can be configured toemit light having different characteristics. More specifically,different lighting colors and types can be selectively radiated onto themetal or gem parts of a jewelry item while images are captured undereach lighting condition using the image capturing component 120.Additionally, the processing unit 324 can be configured to analyzeimages captured under different lighting conditions to identifycharacteristics of various portions of the jewelry item and/or gemstone.For example, two or more images can be combined by the processing unit324 to create an image based on the lighting differences in the two ormore images. Certain lights can highlight certain things in say themetal like porosity and also reduce uneven light conditions that leaveshadows on the metal surface. Accordingly, the combination of image datacaptured under different lighting conditions can result in a cleaner andsharper image that is usable to better identify the metal and/or gemsand portions thereof.

The foregoing elements can be used together jointly or separately tosegment and batch process gemstones, jewelry items and the like.

In another embodiment, the lighting mat can comprise a foldable basethat can be folded into various two or three-dimensional shapes that canfacilitate illumination of a jewelry item and gemstones set in thejewelry item. For example, FIG. 8 is a cut-away cross-sectional -view ofan exemplary lighting mat 860 rolled into a cylindrical shape. As aresult, when rolled into the cylinder as shown, a jewelry item such as abracelet 852 including gems 850 set therein can be placed around thecylindrical lighting mat 860.

The exemplary mat 860 comprises LEDs 864 embedded within a flexible basesubstrate layer 870. The LED' s are arranged in an array extendingsubstantially over the area of the mat 860. The LEDs are configured toemit light outward from or through one or more outer surfaces of thebase layer 870. In an embodiment, the LEDs can shine through a topsurface of the base substrate layer 870. In addition or alternatively,the LEDs can shine through a bottom surface of the base substrate layer870. In addition or alternatively, the LEDs can shine through a sidesurface of the base substrate layer 870. Although not shown in FIG. 8,the length or width of the mat 860 can be between 1 inch and 5 inches.

In an embodiment, one or more outer layers 865 of the lighting mat alsopreferably comprises a soft material layer that diffuses the emittedlight. For example, the same material(s) that can be used for thediffusing pad 140 can be used to provide a suitably compressible, softand light diffusive outer material layer 865.

Similarly to the exemplary configuration of the lighting mat 160, one ormore of the LEDs 864 can be selectively illuminated by controlcircuitry. For example, only those LEDs under the bracelet can beilluminated to concentrate the light through the gems of the braceletand facilitate examination, imaging and analysis of the gemstones on thebracelet.

In some embodiments, the lighting mat 860 can further comprise one ormore openings (e.g., slits or slots) through an outer surface that areconfigured to allow light more directly through the one or moreslits/slots.

In addition or alternatively to providing a flexible base substrate thatcan be rolled into the desired shape, in some embodiments, theillumination platform can comprise an illumination device having apermanent three-dimensional shape. For instance, a more rigid basesubstrate material can be permanently formed into the shape of a ringsizer. The LED array can be embedded within the base substrate andconfigured to selectively emit light through one or more portions of thecylindrical outer surface of the base substrate. Additionally, asuitably compressible and light diffusive outer material layer can beprovided over the outer surface of the cylindrical base substrate.

In some embodiments, such a ring-sizing structure can be integrated intoa flexible lighting mat. For instance, FIG. 9, depicts a top-view of anillumination device 910. The illumination device 910 comprises theflexible mat 860, which is shown in a generally flat configuration.However, in the configuration of FIG. 9, the mat 860 is modified to alsoinclude a ring sizing structure 930 protruding from the top surface ofthe mat 860. As shown, the ring sizing structure 930 is configured toreceive the metal part 974 of the ring there-around. Furthermore, one ormore LEDs (not shown) within the ring structure can be selectivelyilluminated to emit light radially outward from the ring structurethrough the gem 972 of the ring. Additionally, one or more LEDs (notshown) of the mat 860 located under or around the ring can beselectively illuminated to illuminate one or more of the metal part orthe gem from one or more additional angles. Thus, the device 910 canassist with showing the inclusions or surface texture of the metal orgemstone parts more clearly.

In one or more embodiments, a method for imaging and verifying one ormore gemstones using the exemplary gemstone container, lighting, imagingand analysis system 100 is provided. One approach to verifying that agemstone imaged at time T2 (e.g., after gemstone is received back intoinventory) is indeed gemstone that was previously imaged and analyzed attime T1 (e.g., before sending the gemstone out to a third party) is toperform a comparison of one or more image(s) taken at T1 with one ormore images taken at T2. More specifically, sets of images taken at T1and T2, respectively, can be used to perform picture-to-picture ordiagram-to-diagram comparison. Assembling the data set captured at agiven point in time for comparison with another such data set caninvolve stacking layers of images of the gemstone(s) or specificportions and features thereof, wherein individual layers includespecific sets of feature information and collectively represent acomposite set of features of the gemstone(s). The image stack can thenbe compared against previously stored image stacks to identifydifferences or similarities. A similar stacking approach can be appliedto generate and compare diagrams of gemstone features extracted from thesets of gemstone image(s). However, one problem with stacking is that ifone or more of the “stacked” images is incorrectly taken and/or there isa layer that is missing or unfocused, the computer-vision comparisonalgorithms tends to either completely ignore the object or classify itas different. Also, the foregoing approach typically requires that theimages are captured with a steady imaging device and from only oneperspective/direction.

To overcome this tedious and difficult method of imaging, according toan embodiment, the gemstone imaging and gemstone analysis device 112 canbe configured to implement AR augmented reality and other computervision techniques to guide the operator and capture images in real time(“after images”) for comparison with previously captured and storedimages (“before images”) without stacking them. The exemplary methodsdisclosed herein can be implemented even with images taken with aconventional smartphone, with a smartphone and macro lens, or anysuitable imaging device.

The gemstone analysis device processor 324 can be configured to compare,in real time, the captured “after” image of a gemstone stored in memory322 with “before” images stored in database 316 to check if a similargemstone is recognized in the database. The before/after imageinformation stored can include a stored image or coordinate file like ajson file. Further, in some embodiments where multiple gemstones 150within the container 102 are imaged together, the device processor 324can be configured to analyze an after-image taken of the gemstones toidentify coordinates of a particular gemstone being analyzed, and can befurther configured to use that location to. In such an embodiment, thecontainer preferably includes visual markings defining coordinates thatcan help further find exact location of a gemstone within a container,as noted previously.

Further, in some embodiments, if an image or portion thereof is out offocus, the device processor 324 can be configured to use imageprocessing algorithms to bring the pixels into focus. The processor 324can further be configured to use the focused or unfocused image to finda similar looking focused or unfocused image in the database. The imagescan further be in color or in greyscale and, in some embodiments, thosecolor or greyscale pixels can be used to verify the shape and density ofthe pixels and to match to a similar looking/pixelated or coloredobject.

This way, the configured processor can either eliminate stacking orbuild a consolidated model of how a gemstone, or a gemstone feature likean inclusion or other such object, looks like in or out of focus andsave those features as a consolidated image, or as features speciallyfor that image in the database to reduce the data saved. Furthermore, inaccordance with the foregoing, the consolidated model can comprise thecoordinates and any other features it can gather.

In some embodiments, to gather the set of feature data, the processingunit 324 can use augmented reality technology to guide the operator ofthe imaging device to move the camera. In some embodiments, theprocessing unit can be configured to direct the operator to move thelens of the image capturing component 120 relative to the imaged item(or vice versa) including, for example, toward or away, or around, whilethe imaging capturing component captures a stream of images in real time(e.g., as a video or sequence of individual images). The processing unit324 can further be configured to identify interesting features of thegemstone from the imagery, like an inclusion, extract data sets from theimages relating to that feature, and save the multiple sets of dataspecially for that feature in the database.

This exemplary approach is particularly helpful where a user does nothave access to stacking software or cannot capture reliably stableimages of a gemstone. In some embodiments, the image capturing and gemevaluation device can also be configured to allow the user to tap andselect a particular feature of interest, or can incorporateautomatically choose and focus on a specific feature of a gemstone asneeded. Additionally, in an embodiment, the processing unit 324 can beconfigured to search the database records for one or more specificfeatures of a gemstone. For example, if a gemstone being imaged has twoor more interesting features, say an inclusion at a measured coordinateand a particular color, the processing unit can be configured to find agemstone in the database having the inclusion at the measuredcoordinates and then further match by color. It should be understoodthat the comparison can be performed in reverse, namely, to determinewhether a particular previously recorded gemstone feature (e.g.,inclusion at coordinate xyz) matches the one or more gemstones presentlybeing imaged. In this manner, the system can be configured to search andfind a specific feature in a specific place as might be specified by auser input.

The foregoing exemplary method for real time imaging and analysis alsohelps in extracting useful information from images taken from any angleand in motion as well. Similarly, out of focus images can be used, aswell as pixelated images.

Additionally, capturing images from multiple perspectives enablesfeatures to be located in a third dimension (e.g., along the vertical“z” axis in addition to the x and y plane). Such information cannot bereliably extracted from a stacked photo captured from a single angle.More specifically, the processing unit 324 can be configured to detect agemstone feature and how “deep” it is relative to the top surface to thebottom of a gemstone. Depth can be determined, for example and withoutlimitation, based on absolute distance, relative distances, depth-fromfocus and focal planes, and other mathematical and geometry principlesin real time. Such visual depth information can be further enhanced withdata measured in tandem using distance or depth measuring sensors, suchas LIDAR—laser distance and ranging devices, sonar sensors or othersuitable distance or depth measuring devices useable to measure thedistance of a target (or portion thereof) from the image capturingcomponent 120.

In addition, based on the foregoing exemplary imaging and analysismethod, the processing unit can be further configured to generate a 3Dimage of an object from the images captured from multiple perspectives.

At this juncture, it should be noted that although much of the foregoingdescription has been directed to a gemstone container, lighting system,imaging device and methods for gemstone analysis using same, the systemsand methods disclosed herein can be similarly deployed and/orimplemented in scenarios, situations, and settings far beyond thereferenced scenarios. It is to be understood that like numerals in thedrawings represent like elements through the several figures, and thatnot all components and/or steps described and illustrated with referenceto the figures are required for all embodiments or arrangements.

Thus, illustrative embodiments and arrangements of the present systemsand methods provide a system, processes and computer implemented controlmethods, computer system, and computer program product for faultdetecting and fault handling in an industrial monitoring and safetysystem. The flowchart and block diagrams in the figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods and computer program products according to variousembodiments and arrangements. In this regard, each block in a flowchartor block diagrams as it relates to a computer implemented method canrepresent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one ormore executable instructions for implementing the specified logicalfunction(s).

It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, thefunctions described herein or noted in a block diagram may occur out ofthe order noted. For example, two blocks or operations shown ordescribed in succession may, in fact, be executed substantiallyconcurrently, or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order,depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted thatfunctional blocks or operations can, where applicable, be implemented byspecial purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware andcomputer instructions.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure.As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising”, when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

Also, the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of“including,” “comprising,” or “having,” “containing,” “involving,” andvariations thereof herein, is meant to encompass the items listedthereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.

The subject matter described above is provided by way of illustrationonly and should not be construed as limiting. Various modifications andchanges can be made to the subject matter described herein withoutfollowing the example embodiments and applications illustrated anddescribed, and without departing from the true spirit and scope of theinvention encompassed by the present disclosure, which is defined by theset of recitations in the following claims and by structures andfunctions or steps which are equivalent to these recitations..

What is claimed is:
 1. A gem evaluation system, comprising: a case forholding one or more loose gemstones, including: a top wall, a bottomwall, wherein an internal volume of the case is bounded by the top walland opposing bottom wall, wherein the top wall is separable from thebottom so as to transition the case between an open state in which theinternal volume of the case is accessible and a closed state in whichone or more gemstones are enclosed within the internal volume of thecase, wherein the top wall comprises a transparent viewing windowthrough which the one or gemstones can be evaluated, and wherein thebottom wall is one or more of translucent or transparent, and a gemstonepad, provided within the internal volume of the case, for receiving theone or more loose gemstones on a top surface of the gemstone pad,wherein the gemstone pad is formed of a compressible material configuredto allow light to pass through the compressible material into thegemstones.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein at least the viewing windowof the case is a scratch resistant material.
 3. The system of claim 1,wherein the gemstone pad is white in color and is made of one or more ofa microfiber cloth, a polymer foam and compressed cotton.
 4. The systemof claim 1, wherein the gemstone case further comprises: one or moresidewalls that are one or more of transparent and translucent to permitillumination of the internal volume through the sidewalls.
 5. The systemof claim 1, wherein a top portion of the case including the top wall ishingedly coupled to a bottom portion of the case including the bottomwall.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the gemstone pad is sized suchthat, when the case is in the closed state, a bottom surface of theviewing window compresses the one or more gemstones into the gemstonepad, thereby holding the gemstones in place and abutting the bottomsurface.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the gemstone pad comprisesvoids formed in at least the top surface, wherein the voids have a sizedsuitable for holding at least a bottom portion of a gemstone therein. 8.The system of claim 7, wherein the pad has a compressibility that issuitable for resisting a gemstone embedding completely within the pad.9. The system of claim 1, wherein the gemstone pad is one of atranslucent material configured to diffuse light shone into the pad anda substantially transparent material.
 10. The system of claim 1, whereinthe gemstone pad has a substantially uniform color.
 11. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the gemstone pad comprises multiple layers of materialincluding a bottom layer and a top layer.
 12. The system of claim 1,further comprising: illumination device including: a base having a topsurface on which one or more of the bottom wall of the case or thegemstone pad can rest during gemstone evaluation; an array of lightemitters disposed within the base and configured to emit light from atleast the top surface of the base and thereby illuminating the internalvolume of the case.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the illuminationdevice further comprises: a controller operatively connected to thearray of light emitters and configured to selectively illuminate one ormore of the light emitters to define an area of the top surface fromwhich light is emitted.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein thecontroller is configured to control a parameter of the one or more lightemitters, wherein the light parameter includes one or more of anintensity and a wavelength of light.
 15. The system of claim 12, whereinthe plurality of light emitters are arranged in a rectangular array. 16.The system of claim 12, wherein the illumination device furthercomprises: an input/output circuit, operatively connected to thecontroller, wherein the controller is configured to receive controlinputs via the input/output circuit, and wherein the controller isconfigured to selectively illuminate the one or more light emitters as afunction of the control input.
 17. The system of claim 12, wherein theillumination device's base further comprises a flexible fold line alongwhich a portion of the base and embedded array of light emitters can bepivoted relative to another portion of the base and embedded array oflight emitters.
 18. The system of claim 2, wherein the illuminationdevice base is made of a flexible material.
 19. The system of claim 1,further comprising: a gemstone imaging and evaluation device, including:an image capturing device configured to capture an image of the one ormore gemstones through the viewing window of the case; an externalstorage component configured to store data corresponding to the image;and a processing unit configured to: analyze the image of the jewelryitem to identify, within the image, at least one of one or more featuresof the gemstone.